When You Reach Acceptance {Special Needs}

*I received a free copy of Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful from author Laurie Wallin as part of the book’s launch team. All opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review and received no compensation for this post.

When You Reach Acceptance {Special Needs}

Somewhere between the last set of diagnoses my daughter received and now, I quit frantically searching for *all* the answers, quick fixes, every possible therapy program, and new medications to try. Somewhere along the way, I started seeing her as herself, the funny, bubbly, lovable, artistic, princess-y girl that she is.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that she’s just like the rest of us. She has quirks, eccentricities, and character traits that make her a little weird. She may struggle more and have more to overcome, but she’s no different than I am. Than most people I know.

My daughter’s quirkiness is what makes her who she is. It’s one of the things that endears her to me, and something that others appreciate too. Her quirks and struggles are some of her greatest weaknesses—and greatest strengths.

As her mom, it’s my job to help my daughter realize that her weaknesses can also be her strengths, that God made her just like she is, and that He has a plan and a purpose for her life—quirks and all.

Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful by Laurie Wallin

I was already formulating some of these thoughts before I began reading Laurie Wallin’s book Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful, but reading it helped me verbalize my ideas and realize that all of us can use our quirks, weirdness, and weaknesses for good and God’s glory when we turn them over to Him and allow Him to work through us. Laurie has good insight for looking at your weaknesses with God’s perspective and dealing with them in ways that allow them to be good in your life and the lives of others. With chapters like “To Feed Your Best Weirdness,” “Your Designer Quirks and the Three Rs of Life,” and “When Your Quirks Don’t Play Nicely Together,” Laurie’s writing is challenging (in ideas) but easy to read. It’s fun, even as it moves you out of your comfort zone.

Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful is really a book for everyone, because we’ve all got these quirks we can’t get rid of and don’t know what to do with. They’re driving us and everyone around us crazy. That’s when you realize that Laurie’s right. Trusting God with our weirdness and letting Him work in and through our quirkiness is the only way to go.